State senator switches to GOP, says national Democrats too liberal

Published: Thursday, October 4, 2012 at 12:48 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, October 4, 2012 at 4:55 p.m.

MONTGOMERY — Democratic state Sen. Jerry Fielding of Sylacauga on Thursday switched to the Republican Party, saying that Democratic Party values are too liberal.

Fielding, 65, announced his membership in the GOP at a news conference attended by 17 Senate Republicans and Republican Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey, the Senate's presiding officer.

“I'm moving to the Senate Republican Caucus because I feel real good about being here,” Fielding said. “My political philosophy and my moral values' philosophy are much more attuned to the Republican Party.”

Fielding said Alabama Democrats always could claim they were different than the national party, but that no longer is the case.

In a statement, Fielding said he doesn't “stand for same-sex marriage, abortion and gun control, and you definitely don't have to ask me if I want God to be included in my party's platform.”

Fielding was referring to the 2012 Democratic National Convention where the term “God” was not included in the platform as it had been in the past. Only by a controversial vote did party leaders reinstate the term “God-given ability” to the platform.

Senators at the news conference reacted.

“Moving over is a clear indication that he is a conservative at heart and he intends to follow through on those principles,” said Sen. Phil Williams, R-Rainbow City.

Fielding's switch brings to 23 the number of Republicans in the 35-member Senate. There is one independent and there are 11 Democrats.

Fielding said the recent redesign of Senate District 11 did not affect his decision to switch parties. “The pressure I had as a senator does not come from the party or from redistricting. It's come from the Democratic Party continuing to go further and further to the left,” he said.

Democratic Party Chairman Mark Kennedy predicted Fielding would say that, but said his switch is disloyal to the Democrats who voted for him in 2010.

Fielding was an assistant district attorney and was appointed a district judge in 1978 by Gov. George Wallace. He was elected as both a district and circuit judge and retired after 34 years.

Fielding said he has not decided whether he'll run in 2014. “At my age you've got to take it one day at a time, one month at a time,” he said.

Republican Gov. Robert Bentley said, “Fielding is an exceptional lawmaker who is highly regarded in both the House and Senate.”

<p>MONTGOMERY — Democratic state Sen. Jerry Fielding of Sylacauga on Thursday switched to the Republican Party, saying that Democratic Party values are too liberal.</p><p>Fielding, 65, announced his membership in the GOP at a news conference attended by 17 Senate Republicans and Republican Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey, the Senate's presiding officer.</p><p>“I'm moving to the Senate Republican Caucus because I feel real good about being here,” Fielding said. “My political philosophy and my moral values' philosophy are much more attuned to the Republican Party.”</p><p>Fielding said Alabama Democrats always could claim they were different than the national party, but that no longer is the case.</p><p>In a statement, Fielding said he doesn't “stand for same-sex marriage, abortion and gun control, and you definitely don't have to ask me if I want God to be included in my party's platform.”</p><p>Fielding was referring to the 2012 Democratic National Convention where the term “God” was not included in the platform as it had been in the past. Only by a controversial vote did party leaders reinstate the term “God-given ability” to the platform.</p><p>Senators at the news conference reacted.</p><p>“Moving over is a clear indication that he is a conservative at heart and he intends to follow through on those principles,” said Sen. Phil Williams, R-Rainbow City.</p><p>Fielding's switch brings to 23 the number of Republicans in the 35-member Senate. There is one independent and there are 11 Democrats.</p><p>Fielding said the recent redesign of Senate District 11 did not affect his decision to switch parties. “The pressure I had as a senator does not come from the party or from redistricting. It's come from the Democratic Party continuing to go further and further to the left,” he said.</p><p>Democratic Party Chairman Mark Kennedy predicted Fielding would say that, but said his switch is disloyal to the Democrats who voted for him in 2010.</p><p>Fielding was an assistant district attorney and was appointed a district judge in 1978 by Gov. George Wallace. He was elected as both a district and circuit judge and retired after 34 years.</p><p>Fielding said he has not decided whether he'll run in 2014. “At my age you've got to take it one day at a time, one month at a time,” he said.</p><p>Republican Gov. Robert Bentley said, “Fielding is an exceptional lawmaker who is highly regarded in both the House and Senate.”</p>